//------------------------------// // Troubled Past // Story: Echoes of the Past // by Razor Flake //------------------------------// Canterlot Arazon wheeled at the sound of Celestia’s voice, immediately slinging her sword onto her back, and she took a knee in front of the ruler, instincivly feeling her power. “Who are you, and what is the meaning of this?” Arazon looked up, still on a knee. “I am Arazon Sigmus, and this… Thing was threatening my friends. I do not care what you will do to me, but leave my friends and brother out of it.” Celestia, for all her years, was puzzled. FOr one, she had never seen a being such as the one before her. On top of that, she knew nothing that could partake in such violence, and still have friends. As if seeing her thoughts, Arazon answered Celestia’s unspoken questions, something she was not used to. “I am a human. I come from a place not of this world, and my home is at war. I am a grandmaster in nearly all forms of melee combat, and train soldiers and those who wish to learn. No, I do not enjoy the act of taking one’s life, but I can live with it. Yes, I have killed hundreds of people directly, and many more by those at my command.” Celestia was shocked, another thing that did not happen to her often. For someone so young to have done such terrible things… Yet I sense no malice in her at all… Celestia’s train of thought was derailed as Arazon spoke again. “I have razed countless cities, and ruined families and lives. But know I do everything for my homeland, and I will defend it to my last breath. And now, this Equestria would appear to be my home. I am willing to lay down my life for it as you have just seen, and have no qualms in killing my enemy.” Celestia was… Intrigued, to say the least. This young one reminded her of Luna so very much, and she mentioned a brother as well… “Your brother. Is he as… Efficient… As you?” Arazon smiled, and spoke into a necklace that was previously unnoticed on beneath her armor, taking it out to speak. “Hey Jason. Come on over. Somepony is curious.” Canterlot “...And that’s how to maximize the efficiency of an arcane circuit. Really, it’s quite simple. I’m surprised a mare of your intellect didn’t think of it before.” Twilight and Jason were walking around Canterlot, just after the changlings seemed to have fled en masse. Jason was picking off stragglers while also maintaining a conversation with Twilight, many times keeping eye contact even as a spike of stone would quickly and cleanly pierce a changeling's head. Just as Twilight was about to ask him why he seemed to not have an aura, Arazon’s voice emitted from his ring. “Hey Jason. Come on over. Somepony is curious.” Twilight marvelled at the object. Communications spells were extremely complicated, yet Jason had done it on a ring. Normally ponies needed entire walls to maintain such a spell. “Alright, Miss Sparkle. As a gentleman, I will not leave you in a potential warzone. You’re coming with me.” Before Twilight even had time to react, she was engulfed in a brilliant orange flame, and suddenly, was in the castle. Canterlot Castle “You called, sister?” The flame that appeared beside Arazon quickly dissipated to reveal both Celestia’s faithful student, and another, presumably Jason. Celestia quickly checked his magical aura, and was amazed to see it be even greater than Luna’s, nearly on par with her own. Yet, like his sister, he was so young. But still, she sensed great intelligence within him. She then realized he had locked eyes with her, his abyssal brown eyes boring into her’s, studying her. Then, he spoke. “Greetings, Princess Celestia. I presume that is you, anyways. I am Jason Sigmus, grandwizard.” His eyes fell upon the mangled Chrysalis, and he shifted his body to block Twilight’s view of her. He then, without moving a muscle, made her invisible, mute, and encased within a shield. This confirmed to Celestia that he had magical prowess, as well as tact for Twilight's sake “I see Arazon has done her work. How may I be of service to you?” Celestia blanked at the statement for a moment, before coming back to clarity. “I want to know your stories. What made you two so… Violent?” Jason smirked as he transfigured rubble outside into a table and some chairs. They flew in through the windows, and neatly organized themselves. “Pull up a chair. Our story is a long one.” Twenty Seven Years Ago A four year old Jason wandered outside of his home and into the forest. It was the dead of night, so he picked up a stick and set the end on fire. Even at such a young age, Jason had figured magic out on his own for the most part. He was wandering through the forest because he was curious about it. No one ever wanted to go into the forest, and there were always whispers of what lay within. Now he had long ago past the forest fence, and was in where he had never been before. He was inspecting a massive tree, something he would later know was an ancient bristlecone pine, when he heard crying coming from behind the tree. He was puzzled, so he walked around the massive trunk, and saw a child, almost his age. She was sitting, arms around her knees, and crying. Jason felt bad for the poor girl, and out stretched his hand. “Hi. I’m Jason. What’s your name?” The girl looked up in surprise, not noticing his presence evidently. She saw his outstretched hand, and reached for it. “I-I’m Arazon…” Twenty Three Years Ago A six year old Arazon was lying in bed, covered in bruises. And she was the happiest girl on earth. She had just beat her master for the first time since she started training with him. When he was on the ground, her blunted short sword at his throat, he gave her the biggest smile, and after nodding his head, conceding defeat, he gave her a hug, ruffled her hair, and told her something she would remember forever. “Nice job, Ary, you just beat this old man in single combat. You are now, by the laws of the fighter’s guild, a master of the blade. Congratulations. I am no longer your master. I am now your peer.” He finished that statement with a smile, and they immediately recounted their respective side of the duel, with all the interest and joy of two toddlers and a game of tag. Balthazar was like a second brother to her, despite being around fifty nine at the time. Even Jason, who was already on track to becoming an archmage at eleven, would, from time to time, watch and occasionally join their spars, studying their fighting with as much intensity as he studied his own magical arts. Arzon waas just giddy with pride. Arazon Sigmus: Master of the Blade at six years old! I can’t wait to tell mom and dad! Jason will be so proud! That’s when the attack began. Present TIme, Canterlot Jason and Arazon suddenly became very, very serious. Arazon spoke first. “Princess Celestia. What I and Jason are about to recount is our individual accounts of the lowest points in our lives. We give you fair warning that we will not hold back on any details. Jason, you go first. I need some time to gather my memories.” Jason grimly nodded and began his story. Twenty Three Years Ago Jason was finishing up his terrakinesis studies when- BOOM Jason froze for a second, before teleporting onto the roof of the fort in the middle of town. What he surveyed was absolute chaos. From his vantage point, he saw the town militia being pushed back from the north by some force of soldiers. They looked well armored, and seemed to know what they were doing as well. That’s when he realized his family’s house was on the predicted path of the invaders. He teleported into the fray, the eleven year old’s sudden appearance surprising combatants on both sides. Before many of the invaders snapped out of their stupor, the militia used this opportunity to strike back, but that wasn’t all Jason planned on. He had completely mastered his main element: Fire. And so, the young pyromancer let forth the fury of a blast furnace. There was no thought, no finesse, no direction behind the attack. It was simply a conflagration of flame and death that swept through the enemy lines. It left behind blazing fire and boiled flesh. THose that didn’t die screamed in agony only the wrath of cleansing flame can bestow, if their skin hadn’t melted their mouths shut yet. A few unlucky soldiers who wore things like leather or simple cloth were melted together with their garments, irrevocably fused with whatever they were wearing. Jason didn’t stop there. There was only one thought running through his mind. Unrelenting, repeating, and blazing with vengeance. You will all burn. Twenty Three Years Ago, the Sigmus Estate They killed mom and dad. They killed Balthazar… Arazon’s young mind was filled with the images and scenes of her parent’s and master’s death. Over and over, she saw them execute her parents, their magic not enough to hold back the brutality of the monsters. Balthazar died making sure she could get to safety. She wouldn’t let his death be in vain. Arazon would live. She barricaded the doors to the armory, but even now, she knew it wouldn’t hold. for all her strength, she was still only six. She could hear the door cracking. She wasn’t going to die like a defenseless little girl. She was going to kill all of them. She wondered if Meadow was safe in the fort… She found a sharpened longsword, though for her size she wielded it like a greatsword. Then, clad in only light chainmail from her earlier duel with Balthazar, she waited for the door to be broken. The door couldn’t hold, and split in two, her meek barricade crumbling under the feet of the monsters that killed her parents. But they were expecting a scared little girl, not a sword master crazed with rage. She charged from the dark with a primeval war cry, and ran the first man she saw through with her sword. Before the others could react, she kicked the man’s body off her sword, then brought it around for a killing blow to his comrade’s neck. The blade buried into his neck as he gurgled. The other man got a kick off on her while she recovered her sword, sending the light child flying. She hit the stone wall hard, and slumped to the ground. As he approached her, she struggled back to her feet, and readied herself for the next attack. The man, surprised that his kick didn’t kill her, took a step back. “Y-You’re not human!” Arazon smiled in a way no child should. “I am your end.” Arazon ran at him, veering to the side, but bringing her blade to a slash to his side. He crumpled in pain, screaming for help. She heard footsteps down the hall, and had an idea. She stepped up on his back, and thrust her her sword next to his spine, placing one hand over the other gripping the upside down handle. As his backup arrived, she twisted the blade, making him scream in agony. Then, adrenaline coursing through her veins, called on strengths she never knew she had, and picked up the man by the back of his neck, and smashed him into the ground. In a quick motion, she brought her sword back up, and brought her blade down like an axe just to the left of the man’s right shoulder. His arm rendered useless, she grabbed it and began to drag him towards his fellows, one of them doubled over vomiting. They saw, in her eyes, insatiable bloodlust. Canterlot Celestia was horrified at their account of events. “You were so young. How… Why…” For once, the solar monarch was at a loss for words. For those so young to have gone through so much… Arazon saw the expression on the white alicorn’s face. “It was a long time ago. It no longer bothers us as much as it used to. Please don’t worry on our behalf.” Celestia wasn’t entirely convinced. She remembered the few wars that had happened under her reign before Nightmare Moon, and she saw so much of Luna in this young Arazon. And this Jason. With such magical prowess, such intelligence, yet such fury and sorrow behind those brown voids. She resolved to do something about it. “I have a proposition for you two. Arazon, I would like you to talk with Luna. you and her have much in common. And for, Jason, I want you to talk with me. This is completely your choice, do not feel compelled because I rule a nation. I speak to you from a position of similar… Type.” The two thought for a bit, and looked at eachother, communicating the way only siblings can. They both nodded. “Alright.” “No problem, my liege, though it would be wise to inform Twilight.” “Ok, I will.” After giving Arazon directions for Luna’s chambers, she walked towards Luna's tower, her heavy armour clanking throughout the castle. “Now, Jason…”